News Items

Siemens, a German industrial group, believes that one of the solutions for increasing its innovation lead is to increase research and development spending. The 5.2 billion USD expense represents a 7% increase this year that is going primarily to automation, digitization, and energy systems. This is about 6 % of total sales. The increased investment…

Monthly US manufacturing data from the US Census Bureau reveals that October manufacturing was at a 2 ½ year low, while new orders were on the rise. The Atlanta Fed reported that the US economy is expected to grow 1.9 percent in the fourth quarter, in spite of weaker consumer spending and weaker equipment investment…

Cities and states are always looking for effective tactics to attract new business. In the film industry, one of the more effective short-term incentives is that of tax breaks, including reimbursement for major star salary costs. In 2013, Louisiana invested over $1B to support the state’s bid to attract major filmmakers to create over 10,000…

In March 2015, Kraft and Heinz merged into the third-largest North American food company at a cost of $46B. In August, the combined company entered into a cost-saving period with layoffs of 2,500 people in the US and Canada out of its 46,000 total work force. When Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital first bought Heinz…

Southwest began its operations out of Love Field (Dallas area) in 1971, when it successfully sued the City of Dallas for the rights to operate at Love Field and gave up its rights to fly out of the newly formed Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Currently, Southwest leases 16 gates from the City of Dallas,…

Airbnb entered the corporate market in July 2014 and has since acquired more than 250 corporate users for its unique home sharing rental solutions originally targeted for the personal travel market. Now, it attacks head on the traditional business lodging industry by offering corporate services. The new addition to its corporate services as of July…

The US Department of Justice civil antitrust division is concerned that US airlines may be colluding to improve their bottom line. The investigation into how these airlines keep airfares high by limiting available seats, directly involves American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Smaller carriers such as JetBlue Airways and Frontier Airlines may…

European markets continue to tumble behind the US, giving rise to the European Central Bank’s easing of monetary policy to try to stimulate business activity and reduce the high level of unemployment. Greece’s debt-plagued economy concerns the larger EU countries as they no longer have the cash to sustain Greece. Meanwhile, the Japanese are trying…

The restaurant chain, Chipotle Mexican Grill, just made eating safer for its customers this month by eliminating all genetically engineered ingredients from its menu. Their “food with integrity” program includes buying from local farmers, ranchers, suppliers who share the same commitment to quality and ethical responsibility. By removing genetically modified organisms entirely from their menu,…